The first Vicbred Voucher race, part of the Vicbred Owners Voucher Scheme, will be run tonight at Terang. The Herbertsons are aiming to be the first connections to claim a $5,000 voucher.
Maxy Bomber is bred, raced, and owned by Lexton-based trainer Ashleigh Herbertson and will be driven by his son James Herbertson.
“He’s out of a mare that dad used to race, Vapar Raine, she was a nice mare, and she raced in a Group 1 (Victorian Oaks), and we probably never saw the best of her,” James Herbertson said.
Maxy Bomber is sired by Alabar-based stallion Vincent, who also raced in Victoria in his early years
“We had Vincent at home when he was a three-year-old when Mark (Purdon) bought him over, and dad fell in love with him there. He was a perfect individual, and he always wanted to send one to him, so he did and we got Max,” Herbertson said. “He’s a big baby of an individual. He is built like a tank, he’s very solid boned. He’s funny individual, got a lot of personality.”
Maxy Bomber has drawn barrier five tonight in race six at 8.25pm at Terang and is favourite in the Terang Storage Vicbred Voucher Maiden Pace.
“I don’t know a whole lot on the runners in the field tonight, but the form out of his first-up race has been quite good. The one that beat him (Tellmeboutit) ran quite an honest race at Maryborough when it was significantly up in class which is positive,” he said.
“He will be a bit better from the run, but he’s still learning how to be a racehorse.
“Any extra bit of incentive when winning a race is great. I think that’ll help get breeding numbers back up and people back buying them at the yearling sales.
“If people have a bit of money to spend, it means they don’t need to spend as much of their own when it comes to them. It’s a really good incentive and it’s giving back to the people who keep the industry going so it’s great to see.
“Hopefully we can pick one up tonight and if not tonight, hopefully we can pick one up in the next few weeks with him. I am sure if we can win the race dad will be over the moon with having a bit of money in his pocket to go again next year.”
The Vicbred Vouchers program is part of a $3 million industry boost through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund to support breeding and ownership in Victoria. The program will see 550 races over the next two seasons carry $5,000 vouchers for winning owners, giving them a head start towards breeding or buying their next winners. Breeders will also benefit, with Vicbred Super Series heats, semi-finals, finals, and consolations awarding $5,000 vouchers to winning breeders as well as winning owners.
More information on the Vicbred Owners Voucher Scheme can be found here.
The next Vicbred Voucher race will be run on Tuesday at Swan Hill in race three, the Heidi George Mares Classic (Vicbred Voucher) Heat, where father-daughter trainer-driver combination Craig and Abbey Turnbull prepare likely race favourite Bet Sheza Lady.
